I am always astounded by the diversity in Arizona. You can be cross-country skiing on top of a mountain, in a foot of snow with freezing temperatures one morning and kayaking in the heat of the Sonoran desert on the same day. That might be pushing it a little, but it is doable! I went skiing on a Thursday in February (see That Wild Blue Yonder, by Rob Bettaso in this issue), and was kayaking Saguaro Lake, in Mesa on the following Saturday. Both days were amazing with blue skies and perfect weather. 

I had put away my kayaks for the winter, since I live in White Mountains of Arizona and paddling gets a little chilly once the temperatures drop below freezing. I didn’t even bother pulling one out of storage for this trip because I discovered the historic Saguaro Guest Ranch located about a mile past Saguaro Lake. For a minimal fee, their friendly staff will supply you with a kayak and paddle, drive you to the launching site, unload your kayak, and after a brief and knowledgable talk about the lake and a few safety precautions, will help you into your boat and push you out into the water and get you on your way.

Saguaro Lake is the fourth reservoir on the Salt River that is formed by the Stewart Mountain Dam. It sits at about 1,529 feet in elevation and is about 1,100 acres with 22 miles of shoreline. 

The Saguaro Guest Ranch is nestled just below the Stewart Mountain Dam along the shores of the Salt River. I had read about them last year when I paddled the Salt. They offer a four hour Salt River tour, called the Granite Reef Trip, that caught my eye. Josh, one of the staff members I met during this trip, told me they put in right at the Ranch. The River trips don’t start until spring when the water flow is increased. 

Originally, the Saguaro Guest Ranch was a work camp, built in 1927. The main lodge was a mess hall, ice house and commissary for the construction crew working on the Stewart Mountain Dam, which controls flood control and irrigation to the Valley, — built between 1928 and 1930. After the Dam was completed, the lodge was purchased by Phil and Marie Lewis from Kansas and it was turned into a fishing camp. Today the Ranch is owned by the Durand Family, who purchased it from the Lewis’ in 1948. It has stayed in their family for three generations.

There is a sandy beach at Butcher Jones, where we were dropped, and buoys that mark off an area forbidding boats that create wakes. I paddled out past the buoys and to the left into a small inlet surrounded by canyon walls. I kept close to shore to avoid the wind and the wakes from speed boat drivers oblivious to kayakers. The scenery was spectacular with views of Four Peaks, rock walls with caves and giant saguaros that dotted the shoreline. Hikers climbed trails along the shore, up rocky terrain and through desert landscapes. 

Two hours later, our drivers, Josh and Matlock, returned with the trailers, loaded the kayaks, handed out towels, and then loaded us into the vans and headed back, a seven-minute drive, to the Ranch. There were about 20 paddlers this trip, about eight more than their usual limit so they used two vans and two trailers. Josh and Matlock were incredibly friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable and the entire experience will bring me back this spring to paddle the Salt.

On my way back home to the Mountains, I was thinking about my cross-country skis sitting at the door waiting to hit the trail again and how cool it is to have so many options in a state with so much diversity. 

Check out the Saguaro Lake Guest Ranch for paddling. 

•       Single kayaks (only) with paddles

• Advanced reservations required

• Minimum age is 10 and 4 feet in height. 

• Minimum age for Salt River is 12 and 4 feet 6 inches in height. 

• Wear appropriate attire and bring water and sunscreen. 

• No glass or alcohol allowed

• All paddlers must sign a waiver. 

They also offer horseback riding, tubing and special Cowboy Dinners, some with live music.

For more information check out their website at SaguaroLakeRanch.com or call (480) 984-2194.